The Aggies utilized their size advantage and scored 30 points in the paint. NM State also shot 54.2 percent from the field (26-of-48). The Crimson and White defense was tough and only allowed the Bears (2-10) to shoot 33.3 percent from the field (19-of-57) including 14.3 percent from behind the arc (2-of-14).

At halftime, the Aggies posted a 34-23 lead behind eight points from Buovac. He was 3-for-3 from the field including a pair of 3-pointers. Bhullar had seven points, and Mullings added five. The Aggies shot 50 percent from the field (14-of-28) and hit 44.4 percent (4-of-9) from the 3-point line in the first 20 minutes of action.

The Aggies open WAC play on the road for the third straight year. NM State plays at UT Arlington, Saturday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. and Louisiana Tech, Monday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m.